Upon completion of this course, the clinician will be able to do the following: Be knowledgeable about the factors involved in successful endodontic therapy. Understand the types of instrumentation methods and their attributes for canal shaping and cleaning. Know the factors involved in safely performing endodontic therapy and how to minimize file fracture occurrence. Know the methods of manufacturing rotary nickel titanium files and understand the resulting physical differences.

Chlorhexidine gluconate is an effective bactericidal agent and broad-spectrum antimicrobial drug. It has been extensively researched and is the “gold standard” antimicrobial in oral hygiene. Chlorhexidine is useful in many clinical disciplines including periodontics, endodontics, oral surgery and operative dentistry.

This article will review the principles of root canal obturation and obturating materials currently available. Upon completion of this course, the dental professional will be able to:Know the main factors infliencing endodontic success.Know the advantages and concerns around the use of gutta percha.Know the options available for root canal obturation and how these differ. Know the characteristics of recently introduced carrier-based obturators and their clinical application.

Upon completion of this course, the clinician will be able to do the following: Understand access as the most important phase of nonsurgical root canal treatment, comprehend principles of cavity preparation and proposed guidelines to accurately prepare and fill the radicular pulp space, understand the four parts to endodontic coronal cavity preparation—outline form, convenience form, removal of remaining carious dentin and defective restorations, and cleansing of the cavity, and understand the differences in chamber and access shape for each tooth type and protocol to follow when performing on each.

Several types of intraoral radiographs can be taken. An understanding of both the paralleling and bisecting techniques and when to use these is necessary. Avoiding common errors when taking intraoral radiographs reduces the need for retakes. Minimizing radiation exposure for patients and the operator is an essential component of intraoral radiography.

Bonding materials and techniques have completely changed the way dentistry is practiced. Since their introduction, techniques have evolved such that it is now possible to bond materials to dentin, and hydrophobic resins have been replaced by hydrophilic resins. In recent years several methacrylate resin-based root canal sealers (MBRSs) have been introduced as an alternative to conventional gutta-percha and zinc oxide-eugenol-based techniques. Efforts to introduce a simplified obturation technique based on dentin bonding principles coupled with favorable physical properties have contributed to an increase in interest in using this approach. It is the intent of the authors to critically review the published literature and to arrive at an opinion as to the current status and future of methacrylate based resin sealers. This will be followed by presentations of cases in which methacrylate based resin sealers were used.

Obturation is a critical component of root canal therapy, and must both provide a complete seal for the root canal system and eliminate all avenues of leakage from the oral cavity. Historically, gutta-percha cones have been the standard material of choice for root canal obturation, used together with a sealer/cement. The first gutta-percha carrier-based obturating techniques were developed more than two decades ago. More recently, obturating techniques have been introduced that include resin-based sealers and obturators,syringe-applied heated gutta-percha, and the use of guttapercha as an outer coating on obturator carriers composed of plastic or metal. It is important to select an obturation technique that offers consistency and is easy to use.

Primary tooth pulp therapy can preserve primary teeth until ormal exfoliation when clinical conditions permit. Therapeutic options include pulpotomy, indirect pulp treatment and pulpectomy. The appropriate therapeutic options depend on the health of the pulp. In order to determine which treatment option should be pursued, it is necessary to clinically and radiographically assess the tooth. Options for vital primary teeth include pulpotomy and indirect pulp treatment. Provided that careful attention is paid to detail during the clinical procedure and follow-up, as described in this article, both techniques have similar success rates and can save primary teeth.